This is a vignette my granddad wrote about one of his favorite natural places – Hamilton Pool in Central Texas. I’ve paired it with an 8mm film he took of Hamilton Pool during the summer of 1958.
TEXAS CAMPING TRIP 1958
Film RestorationsThe following is an 8mm film made in July 1958. Celebrating Independence Day weekend, my granddad John Lester Yates Jr. documented a camping trip at Lake Travis with a day trip to Hamilton Pool.
COLORADO VACATION 1963
Photo RestorationsThis photograph was taken in July 1963 in Grand Mesa, Colorado.
My grandad set up his Canon on a tripod and using a timer, took it himself. From left to right is my uncle (age 9), my mother (age 7), my granddad (39), and my grandmom (38).
Ever since then, this print has been framed and hanging in one hallway or another for sixty years, and I always wondered about the story behind it.
A few years ago my uncle sent the original slides from the trip. I processed them at home and restored them using Photoshop and Lightroom.
So sit back and take a trip back to Colorado 1963 as the Yates family camps at Grand Mesa, drives the Million Dollar Highway, rides horses, and catches enough trout to feed the neighborhood back home in Texas.
BLACK ELK PEAK
Travels, WildlifeWhen my wife was pregnant with Aspen in 2016, we spent a week camping in Custer State Park, South Dakota. While there, we spent a day hiking to the top of Black Elk Peak, the highest point in the state. The 3.5-mile trail offers expansive views of the Black Hills, one of the prettiest landscapes in America. We also encountered bison, blue jays, mountain goats, and a unique view of Mount Rushmore. After all these years, I finally had time to edit the images – here’s the highlights:
THE DEATH OF HENRY STARR
Photo RestorationsI just returned from the hometown of my wife and kids and I thought I’d share an interesting story from this small town in the rugged Ozarks of northwest Arkansas. Several years ago, I worked on a project with the Genealogical Department of the Boone County Library, where I needed to scan hundreds of old photographs of the area and its inhabitants, dating back to the 1800s. I restored a few of these images to bring this story back to life.
Above is William J. Myers, the bank president in Harrison, who gunned down the notorious bank robber, horse thief, and silent film actor, Henry Starr, on February 18, 1921.
During his thirty-two years in crime, Henry Starr robbed more banks than the James-Younger Gang and the Doolin-Dalton Gang put together. “The Cherokee Badman” netted over $60,000 from more than twenty-one bank robberies.
He started robbing banks on horseback in 1893. After going to prison in 1915 in Arizona, Starr published his autobiography, THRILLING EVENTS: LIFE OF HENRY STARR. Upon his release on parole, Starr even portrayed himself in the silent film, A DEBTOR TO THE LAW (1919). Starr was also the first bank robber in the United States to use an automobile for getaways. He ended up robbing his last with an automobile when he met his fate in Harrison, Arkansas.
Myers shot Starr with a .38 caliber Winchester rifle, 1873 model, during a robbery attempt. It was a gutshot, and Starr died from his wound three days later.
Historical photos are rare treasures. I can bring them back to life. Check out my portfolio: PHOTO RESTORATIONS.
MESA VERDE – 1963
Photo RestorationsI recently uncovered a treasure trove of old family photos my grandmom left behind. From black and white images to color slides to old negatives, I’ve been going through them and restoring a select few. I recently acquired the equipment in my studio to develop old negatives and other mediums and getting all this practice has been helpful … and quite the trip down memory lane.
The image below is a photograph my granddad took of a canyon in Mesa Verde National Park in July 1963. This is the original scan:
Below is the restored version of the above image:
But the real story here is that upon developing this old slide, I recognized this canyon. I was there in 2018 and damn near took the exact same photo:
It’s uncanny – we were at the same spot at the same time of day, framed the picture the same and everything. He had better light, though, so I think he took the better photo.
But perhaps the real story here is that I didn’t know my granddad very well, and yet I’ve been told my whole life that he and I are remarkably similar. As I’m developing these old slides and negatives, I’m seeing things through his eyes, and I’m discovering how true that assessment is.
Life is one big road trip, y’all.
SECOND STREET DANCE COMPANY – FALL 2021
ProjectsThanks to Second Street Dance Company for letting me photograph your dancers today! If you didn’t get a flier at the session, here it is below:
Once I get the images ready, I’ll be contacting Becky Thompson and then you will be hearing from us. Stay tuned!
EXPLORING THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
Photo RestorationsIn the summer of 1987, my granddad took me and my grandmom on a trip to explore a small waterfall hidden somewhere in the central Texas hill country. Granddad took several photos of that trip. I just finished restoring a handful of them for a project with Screams from the Trees. It was a fun project – check out the Before & Afters – click for full res:
Photo restoration is a service I provide. Take a look at my portfolio by clicking here: RESTORATIONS.
LIBERTY POINT SUNSET
Projects, UpdatesOne of my favorite aspects of photography is location scouting. Recently I’ve been looking for local spots to shoot portraits. Being new to the area that’s been challenging, but fun.
Not too long ago I became a member of Professional Photographers of America and I was checking out some local photographers also registered with PPA. One of them featured a beautiful family portrait with a backdrop that looked a bit familiar: Lake Pueblo with the Wet Mountains silhouetted behind.
Clearly my favorite spot in Pueblo is Lake Pueblo State Park. It’s such a treat to have this gorgeous oasis just a fifteen-minute drive from the house. My family and I have spent quite a bit of time out there and we’re getting familiar with it. I knew the spot I was looking for was close to the dam of the Pueblo Reservoir – the state park. After orienting Google Earth, I found the spot where that family portrait was taken.
The best spot in Pueblo for magnificent landscape views is Liberty Point Memorial. Get there at the right light and photographers will be rewarded with jaw-dropping landscapes that will make inspiring photos by themselves, not to mention offering priceless backdrops for portraits.
Here’s a few shots I took on our first excursion out to Liberty Point. I didn’t have much equipment on me, not even a tripod. What you see here was shot handheld with my Canon 5D Mark IV:
Liberty Point Memorial is located within state park grounds, but it’s free and open to the public. Give R2-D2 these coordinates and check this awesome place out for yourself – your eyes will thank you:
LIBERTY POINT MEMORIAL
1398 South Liberty Point Boulevard
Pueblo West
WE ARE LIVE!
UpdatesUnalome Photography’s website is finally live and we are effectively open for business.
To celebrate, I’m opening up with a great offer.
All of my packages* are discounted 50% until July 31.
*Real Estate Clients are the only exception. With the market in Colorado, can you blame me?